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COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



Sonnets and Acrostics 



by 

E. A. WOODWARD 



THE OTTERBEIN PRESS 

Dayton, Ohio 

1916 






Copyright, 1916, by 

E. A. Woodward 

All rights reserved 



MAR 28 1916 

©C1.A427423 



Mi)0)B;e unttrins bebotion anb 

Ctttsitian couns^el f^asi mabe 

ti^isi book posisiiblt 



INTRODUCTION 

"Ah ! what would the world be to us, 
If the children were no more? 
We should dread the desert behind us 
Worse than the dark before." 

So said Longfellow concerning the children of our 
flesh and blood. The children of heart and brain are 
also dear to us. How dull this world would be without 
them! But they are here. They play — they scamper — 
they cry — they sing — they plead — they tease — they snug- 
gle close to us — they caress us — they sometimes ''make be- 
lieve" and lead us as children whithersoever they will, 
and we let them. 

These sonnets introduce us to many moods. 

''What is a sonnet? 'T is the pearly shell 
That murmurs of the far-off, murmuring sea: 
A precious jewel carved most curiously: 
It is a little picture painted well. 
What is a sonnet ? 'T is the tear that fell 
From a great poet's hidden ecstasy ; 
A two-edged sword, a star, a song — ^ah, me ! 
Sometimes a heavy tolling funeral bell." 

5 



So said Gilder in 'The Poet and His Master." The 
many friends held close in heart and mind and honored 
in acrostics which do not betray themselves by a too- 
studied art, bespeak kindly thought and love's sweet 
offering. 

That these musings many may interest, help, inspire, 
and give rest and strength to all who read them is the 
worthy wish of the author, and mine also. 

W. H. Wehrly. 



CONTENTS 

SONNETS 

PAGE 

Life in Poetry 9 

A Summer Evening 10 

The Brown Thrush 11 

The Language of Love J 2 

Hours in Solitude 13 

Universality of Song J 4 

Decoration Day 15 

The Ocean Tomb 16 

Veiled and Unveiled 17 

Strength and Weakness of Love 18 

The Orphan 19 

Easter Thoughts 20 

Service that Serves 21 

Supremacy of Home ^2 

To a Book-lover |-3 

Sunrise Sonnet 24 

Immortality of Thought 25 

Woodland Cemetery 2G 

Twilight Hours 27 

Rowing Against the Current 28 

The Strenuous Life 21) 

Spring Sonnet 30 

The Storm 31 

The Mystery of Life 32 

To an Absent Friend 33 

The Voice of the Flowers o4 

Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary 35 

The Grafter 36 

The Working Men 37 

When the Birds Return 38 

Growing Old , 39 

Thanksgiving Day 40 

The Man who Slaves 41 

The Living Dead 42 

Height and Depth 43 

Love of Self 44 

Slaves to Fashion 45 

The Sign Writer 46 

Immortality of Art 47 

Autumn 48 

At a Brother's Grave 49 

The Tragedy of Age 50 

A Marriage Anniversary 51 

Youth's Beacon Light 52 

A Voice 53 

Beauty Unnoticed 54 

Our Tribute to the Dead 55 

7 



Wages of War . 
To My Wife ( Thirty -fou 
Christmas Sonnet . 
Belgium's Triumph 
The Poet's Pastime . 
Bald Heads (Outside anc 
What Did You See? . 
A Nation's Declaration 
The Lure of the Light 
Cruelty of Creeds . 
Cupid and the Maiden 
New Year Sonnet. 
The Rift in the Curtain 



Years After) 



In) 



I'AGE 

56 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 
62 
63 
64 
65 
66 
67 
68 



ACROSTICS 

Beams from the Heart 69 

Hope Will Survive 70 

The Teacher's Mission 71 

The Brighter Beams 72 

To a Book-lover 73 

To a Music-lover 74 

Reward Comes Slow 75 

Life's Brighter View 76 

Another Birthday 77 

When Nature Smiles 78 

To a Poet Friend 79 

To Charles Edward Clark 80 

Words Kindly Spoken 81 

To an Artist 82 

Kind Deeds and Smiles 83 

Evening Reflections 84 

To a Niece 85 

Autumn Reflections 86 

Using the Moments 87 

Art in Nature 88 

National Cash Register 89 

To a Friend 90 

The Days Glide By 91 

The Potency of a Glance 92 

Be Not Dismayed 93 

To the Star-spangled Banner 94 

Our Childhood Home 95 

.\ Friendly Acrostic 90 

To Ethel Wood King 97 

Helping Some Friend 98 

To a Musician 99 

Thoughtful Hours 100 

To a Nephew 101 

Home Holds Us Fast 102 

To William Glass 103 

In Life's Afterwhile 104 

Shadows Across the Way 105 

Each Day 106 



SONNETS 



LIFE IN POETRY 

The measured lines their imageries reveal, 

And seek with purer thoughts the mind to fill, 
Subdue the passions, and enthrone the will, 

And in the heart some worthier impulse seal. 

To bless the world, its needless cares disperse, 
The poet strives for highest realms of thought ; 
His mind aflame, with deep compassion fraught, 

Will write his heart's convictions in his verse. 

His verse oft stirs emotion's deepest springs, 
From anguished souls the crushing pain decoys, 

In cheerless lives hope's sweetest anthem sings. 
And seals in hearts this life's sublimest joys. 

The bard unfolds in song thought's living power, 

Like opening bud reveals the fragrant flower. 



SONNETS 



A SUMMER EVENING 

God breathes his spirit on the sun-kissed earth, 

Where evening stillness marks the closing day ; 

When laughing beams of light have flown away, 
And peaceful quiet stills their joyous mirth. 
And yet the gathering darkness brings no dearth 

Of life's pure pleasures, as the shadows stray. 

And twinkling stars peep at you in their play, 
And smile their welcome to the evening's birth. 
The growing stillness soothes to peaceful rest. 

And purer thoughts come as the shades increase, 
Which bear the mind to love's exalted crest. 

When plodding cares their noisy voices cease. 
Sweet evening stillness hovers o'er the breast, 

And to the heart the Savior whispers, peace. 



10 



SONNETS 



THE BROWN THRUSH 

Clear tocsin note declares the night complete, 
Before the first bright beams have traveled far, 
Or, dimmed the brightness of the morning star, 

The thrush awakes with song the morn to greet. 

The warbled notes their thrilling sound repeat, 
No ruling powers his matchless strains debar, 
The curtained light of morning could not mar 

The glad refrain that swells so soft and sweet. 

True herald of the morning's glimmering light, 
In cheering notes at first bright gleams arouse 
The sleeping world to hear his rhythmic song ; 

When morning gleams fortell departing night, 
His vigil keeps, and from the topmost boughs 
Of leaf-clad forest wakes the warbling throng. 



11 



SONNETS 



THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE 

Love's language if in sweetest words expressed, 

May sway the mind, the listening heart cajole; 
With diction's grace and eloquence be dressed, 

And still not tap the love-spring of the soul. 
The heart betrayed by language soft and smooth, 

Where base deceiver plies his treacherous art, 
W^hen once deceived, no spoken words can soothe, 

Nor still the tumult of some breaking heart. 
Love speaks the loudest when we hear no sound, 

Its sweetest speech in soulful stillness gives ; 
In face and eyes love's language will be found, 

In their expressions all the love-light lives. 
Love's language woos to bind the holiest ties. 
Born in the soul, its voice speaks in the eyes. 



12 



SONNETS 



HOURS IN SOLITUDE 

I love those solitary places,' hidden deep 
Beneath the rustling maze of leafy bowers, 
Where undisturbed the virgin forest towers, 

And nature's laws their silent watches keep. 

In restful stillness sweet emotions creep, 

To charm with purest thoughts the quiet hours, 
To breathe the perfume of the woodland flowers, 

And lull the tumults of the heart to sleep. 

I love sometimes to seek those quiet nooks. 
There list awhile where silent voices speak 
As they have spoken since the world began ; 

To learn the lessons taught in nature's books. 
And with my mind and heart the power to seek 
To render higher service both to God and man. 



13 



SONNETS 



UNIVERSALITY OF SONG 

Unmeasured spheres the realms of song embrace, 
In fartherest haunts of man its rhythmic sound 
Has charmed with strains of melodies, unbound — 

Together stars have sung through boundless space. 

No thought of man could e'er conceive the place 
Where measured tones of muse are still unfound, 
And charm of music's thrill remains uncrowned, 

Where matchless power of song has left no trace. 

The valleys ring with anthems clear and sweet, 
An echoed thrill floats back from mountain spire ; 

The voice of wind the falling raindrops greet. 
While waves tumultuous tune their swelling lyre. 

The birds and bees their chorused songs repeat. 
Redeemed and angels sing in heavenly choir. 



U 



SONNETS 



DECORATION DAY 

Long cherished memories of the vanished years, 
Grow fresh through solemn stillness of the hours 
When faithful hands again shall strew the flowers 

On tombs of friends, oft moistened with our tears. 

With noiseless steps this sacred ground we tread, 
To these torn hearts the dearest memories cling. 
While with true hands these simple tributes bring, 

Our sorrowing hearts hold commune with the dead. 

The battle scarred, the country's true and brave. 
Their blood-bought record history's page adorns ; 

They sleep, whose lives to cause of freedom gave, 
Around their tombs this grateful nation mourns. 

How tenderest memories touch the throbbing heart, 

Where of our lives, there lies entombed, a part. 



15 



SONNETS 



THE OCEAN TOMB 

The great Titanic's hosts have gone to greet 
The dead, uncoffined in broad ocean's deep ; 
Around their hallowed tombs no mourners weep, 

Nor sorrow's requiem o'er their graves repeat. 

The powers of fate man's feeble plans defeat, 
And rolling billows o'er the helpless sweep, 
And on their dark expanse their harvest reap, 

The rich and poor, their Hke destructions meet. 

Time soothes the sorrow and the wound will heal. 
The waves will sing to them their rhythmic song ; 
May God's own hands their bodies guard and keep, 

And o'er those hallowed waters place his seal. 
To friends, their memories only, now belong, 
In ocean depths they rest and sweetly sleep. 



16 



SONNETS 



VEILED AND UNVEILED 
Veiled in the soul are life's consuming fires, 

Their sinful flame these earthly vestments hide; 

The deep, dark birthplace of life's selfish pride, 
The fount from which flows nature's base desires. 
These carnal fires, unquenched, the soul begrime, 

Unchained, these passions rule the wiUing mind. 

Their luring gleams the pleading conscience bind, 
And lead from evil thought to treacherous crime. 
The heart untouched by God's redeeming grace, 

That lives enthralled in sin's unconquered sway, 
To hide its shame at death will find no place, 

When earth-born vestments have been torn away, 
Some day their sins in judgment's blazing light. 
Will be unveiled before their wondering sight. 



17 



SONNETS 



STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF LOVE 

Love is divine, still, when by mortals scorned 

It turns to hate, and with hell's wrath combines ; 
But love enthroned, with heavenly fire adorned, 

Consumes all dross and heart's best gold refines. 
When human hearts spurn love's refining power. 

They crown with darkness life's sublimest morn; 
Denied to pluck the fruits from heavenly bower. 

Love chained in selfish hearts, remains unborn. 
Inconstant hearts obscure the gleams of love, 

Like clouds whose shadows dim the mid-day Hght 
Or, jealous doubts come to the mind, unwarned, 
And steal the love-Hght that was born above. 

The selfish souls that enter death's dark night, 
Unloved in fife, in death they'll be unmourned. 



18 



SONNETS 



THE ORPHAN 

The darkest cloud the hand of death has spread, 
Robs youth of parents in their tenderest years, 
Turns mirthful brightness into blinding tears, 

And childhood leaves with an unsheltered head. 

That dreadful hour ! Who has not felt its chill 
When friends by death are ruthless torn away, 
And lonely thoughts enshroud life's blighted ray, 

While empty darkness seems the world to fill. 

But none whose parents live, could ever know 
The still, lone darkness of the orphan's heart ; 

In vain, if friends their soothing love bestow, 
The warmth of parent's love, could not impart. 

Their cries must to this pitying world appeal, 

They've felt the deepest pangs a heart can feel. 



19 



SONNETS 



EASTER THOUGHTS 

The sleepless night in awful anguish spent, 

Great crimson drops the holy features steep ; 

Those left to watch, in peaceful quiet sleep, 
The howling mob by treacherous priesthood sent 
With swords and staves, by faithless Judas led, 

With vain salute. Hail, Master! And that sign, 
A traitor's kiss — the frightened followers fled 

And murderous demons seize their Lord, divine. 
The priestly court — false witnesses are sought, 

The Roman court — not guilty — yet condemned, 
The cruel cross — a world's redemption bought, 

The quaking earth with awful darkness hemmed 
The Roman guard — the grave securely sealed. 
The opened tomb — the risen Lord revealed. 



20 



SONNETS 



SERVICE THAT SERVES 

He serves the best who hears the helpless plead, 

Who plows and plants that other hands may reap; 
Supplies the means that helps a friend in need, 

And wipes the tears from eyes of those who weep. 
Kind deeds are flowers along the pathway strewn, 

They leave sweet perfume where the zephyrs blow, 
And from life's path the thorns of anguish prune, 

Where feet unshod through darkest ways must go. 
Kind acts bestowed where no returns are sought. 

With minds inspired, their willing service give; 
By deeds untold are greatest blessings wrought, 

In meekest hearts, love's purest motives live. 
Unselfish souls shall reap their earned reward. 
Who serves his fellow-man, but serves his Lord. 



21 



SONNETS 



SUPREMACY OF HOME 

-Supreme the home, to man a sacred place, 

Unfolding in life's path its mystic lure ; 
Beneath its shelter wrapped in heavenly grace, 

Utopian fancies there prove true and pure. 
Rays of domestic love through every rift, 

Bind us in union 'neath its sheltering dome ; 
Around the fireside love bestows that gift, 

No man has ever known, save in his home. 
Guardian of purest ties, still bind us fast, 

Anchoring our hearts within thy sacred shrine 
Rule o'er us still, as thou hast in the past, 

Draw us still closer by love's bonds, divine. 
Refuge of love now shield the troubled breast, 
And soothe life's wildest tumults into rest. 



22 



SONNETS 



THE BOOK-LOVER 

Beneath the spreading limbs of forest bowers, 

Like hermit sage, he seeks sequestered nook ; 

A thoughtful youth there hidden with his book, 
Will gather knowledge through the silent hours. 
These garnered stores his hungry mind devours, 

As famished herds drink from the cooling brook. 

Or bees, which naught could tempt to overlook 
The nectared sweetness of the fragrant flowers. 

The sturdy miner delves the earth for gold. 
For wealth the seaman sails to distant shore, 

The farmer toils by ripened grain fields toled. 
And slaving hosts bow at wealth's golden throne ; 

The student gleans from fields by others sown, 
And reaps from books their more enduring store, 



23 



SONNETS 



SUNRISE SONNET 

The gloomy night its cheerless vesture folds, 

And yields its shadows to the morning's sheen ; 
The world awakening from its dreams, beholds 

The rising sun; the earth's sublimest scene. 
On eastern hilltops glows the earliest beam, 

Swift, golden radiance o'er the woodland sweeps, 
The verdant fields with dewy brightness gleam, 

And with a blaze of light the landscape steeps. 
Who has not viewed the burst of new-born light, 

Has lost the thrill of morning's glorious birth ; 
In power, surpassing realms of fancy's flight, 

In promise, still the brightest hour of earth. 
The haunting fears with shades of night depart, 
And cheering hope, again enthrills the heart. 



24 



SONNETS 



IMMORTALITY OF THOUGHT 

Thought once conceived, although most humble be 
Its source ; though 't was a mind of mean degree 
Which bore the travail of a thought's low birth, 
Still, 't will be more enduring than the earth. 
Long has the past, on leaves all seared with age, 
Engraved each thought — stamped on immortal page ; 
Though death may conquer — all our hopes may blot- 
It wields no power o'er the realms of thought. 
Thoughts cannot feel the touch of earth's decay. 
Born in the soul, they live beyond death's sway. 
No thing that lives and breathes immortal breath, 
Shall e'er pay homage to the powers of death. 
The wave must die when it shall reach the shore, 
But thought, once born, lives on forevermore. 



25 



SONNETS 



WOODLAND CEMETERY 

What sacred memories hover round this hill, 
Where cloistered sleep the unf orgotten dead ; 
In silent graves with verdant green o'erspread, 

They sanctify this ground, now cold and still. 

What lonely thoughts the minds of mourners fill, 
When they with sadness and with muffled tread, 
Weep o'er the tomb which hides the sacred head 

Once pillowed on their breast with loving thrill. 

Now all is changed ; their blasted hopes decay, 
Life's visions fade, and glitter turns to gloom ; 

Their dearest treasures death has torn away, 
And buried life's ambitions 'neath the tomb. 

A beacon light they wave beyond death's strand, 

To guide our footsteps to heaven's border land. 



26 



SONNETS 



TWILIGHT HOURS 

The sun has sunk behind yon western hill, 
His beams no shadows o'er the landscape cast ; 

The veil of twilight falling soft and still, 

Writes tumults of the day as scenes now past. 

The stillness gathers when departing light 
Is wrapt in shades these mystic hours adorn. 

It brings with death of day the birth of night, 
Whose darkness hides awhile a promised mom. 

In calmness of the daylight's closing hours, 
The soul inspires the mind's sublimest thought 
And brings to memory scenes now long forgot. 

Like nectared perfume of the sleeping flowers. 
The peaceful gathering of the night but seems 
To fit the mind and heart for pleasant dreams. 



27 



SONNETS 



ROWING AGAINST THE CURRENT 

To reach the goal and seize the waiting prize, 

The fearless rower braves the current's strength, 
To force his bark against the swells that rise, 

He strives through all the river's weary length. 
To cease one moment means drift down the stream, 

A course which leads to shipwreck and defeat ; 
There learn that ease is but some fabled dream — 

With bark once launched, no rower dares retreat. 
Through narrows where the currents swifter flow, 

There faith and strength the rapid's powers defy ; 
With watchful care to steer when storm-winds blow, 

And clear the treacherous driftwood floating by. 
The bark will tremble 'gainst the current drawn, 
It cleaves the waters, still the stream flows on. 



28 



SONNETS 



THE STRENUOUS LIFE 

When modern madness molds the living pace, 

Which binds the reason and unbinds the tear, 

To fashion's mandate kneels in groveling fear, 
Then foolish waste gives v^^oeful want a place. 
The strugghng poor join in the strenuous race. 

With panting hearts their meager incomes veer ; 

Though sunk in want, to fashion's gods adhere, 
Whose reckless rule the restless hosts embrace. 
Desire for wealth their soul's consuming flame. 

Turns mind to madness and the heart to stone; 
Refuse to bind the wounds of friends they maim, 

These frenzied fiends for crime do not atone. 
For wealth and pomp they sacrifice their name, 

They live unloved, they die to fame unknown. 



29 



SONNETS 



SPRING SONNET 

The drear and lonesome season now has gone, 

And winter's sadness will be turned to mirth ; 
The opening buds and smiHng flowers each dawn, 

Will greet with joy this gladder season's birth. 
The earth awakened from the winter's dearth, 

The robin chirps with glee o'er grassy lawn ; 
And wilder spots have felt the sunbeam's worth, 

Which charm to gayer pranks the sportive fawn. 
All nature smiles in springtime fashion dressed, 

The fertile fields resound with plowman's song; 
The noisy sparrow builds 'neath eaves her nest, 

The woodland trembles with the warbling throng. 
New life is born, new hope inspires the breast, 
For spring has come and all the world is blest. 



30 



SONNETS 



THE STORM 

The gathering storm-clouds dark the western sky, 

The sportive breezes shrink with bated breath, 
The whispering zephyrs, now in dread pass by 

Like sullen stillness wrapped in arms of death. 
Deep rumbling thunder when at last 't is heard, 

Portends the storm-god still is gathering power ; 
While meekly homeward moves the lowing herd, 

The sweet-voiced songsters seek the forest bower. 
The lightnings flash, their Hquid furies blaze. 

The deep-voiced thunder peals its deafening roar, 
While pouring rain descends in blinding maze, 

Loud howling winds seem sweeping all before. 
The storm has passed ; the earth is soaked in rain, 
The sunbeams laugh, and nature smiles again. 



31 



SONNETS 



THE MYSTERY OF LIFE 

To solve the mystery of life, the mind of man 

Has climbed the highest pinnacles of thought ; 
Sought 'mongst the stars to find where life began, 

And delved the earth to search its deepest grot. 
Seeks still to trace unmeasured cycles spun, 

Unbinds tradition's dark, deep, fabled store, 
To find where life that deathless power begun, 

Through drear abodes of Grecian myths explore. 
But mind of man with finite powers endowed, 

In mortal realm confined, his thought is found ; 
Death will at last dissolve the veiling cloud — 

Unclothed of flesh, the mind and soul unbound. 
Must search to solve this mighty mystery, 
Through boundless realms of God's infinity. 



32 



SONNETS 



TO AN ABSENT FRIEND 

The thoughts that now this mind of mine enfold, 
Empower to hear, with rapturous faith obey 
The voice of friends, though they be far away, 

And in my thoughts their Hving forms to mold. 

Your presence would my path with flowers strew, 
In memory's gardens, there unseen, they spring; 
To them my heart with loving faith will cling. 

And breathe their fragrance when I think of you. 

True friend in lives the oil of gladness pours. 
And through the times of sorrow quick responds; 

Born in the soul such friendship still endures. 

Though death may come it cannot break the bonds. 

May God inspire this throbbing heart of mine, 

To treasure friendship as a thing divine. 



33 



SONNETS 



THE VOICE OF THE FLOWERS 

Bright messengers with lips of varied hues, 
Made brighter by the touch of zephyr's kiss, 
To charm the world in spring to purer bhss, 

And lend sweet nectar to the evening dews. 

To nature's laws, and to their species true. 
They bloom to bless, untouched by silly pride, 
Reflect the glow of sunbeams, scattered wide, 

And in their beauty blush and smile at you. 

Still, do these flowers only blush and smile? 
Let your heart listen to their whispering voice. 

Far purer than the sounds your ears beguile, 

They speak to make your listening heart rejoice. 

In sweet remembrance friends though far away, 

Declare their love in voice of flowers to-day. 

Dayton, Ohio, 

March i8, ipi2. 

Written upon receiving flowers from distant friends. 



34 



SONNETS 



SIXTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 

Look back to-day beyond life's noon-time sun, 
Across a shining landscape strewn with flowers ; 
View with a calm delight those sun-kissed hours, 

In memory's shrine see but the victories won. 

The morning gave love's beam to light the way, 
And youthful hope enthralled the bounding heart; 
Sweet roses bloomed their fragrance to impart, 

And charmed the threshold of life's opening day. 

How swiftly, still how sweetly flow the years. 
The noon-day heat burns out life's false alloys 
And seals with ripened faith her priceless joys — 

In afternoon, love's smiles enshroud the tears. 
The evening charms the heart with mellow ray, 
Love's light soft lingers with departing day. 



35 



SONNETS 



THE GRAFTER 

This nation sleeps in party's false repose, 

The sovereign rulers of a blood-bought realm ; 

Seduced by wealth, their scepter yields to those 
Not born to govern, still they seize the helm. 

False in his heart the grafter scorns the right. 
Heeds not his bleeding conscience he has slain ; 

Still plots and plunders both by day and night, 
And steeps in crime his guilty soul for gain. 

On land so fair the world sees dreadful stains, 
The grafters laugh ; the people bear the shame 
Of heinous crimes done here in freedom's name — 

Yet still lay bound and helpless in their chains. 

Unblushing beasts ! Bold vultures dyed in crime. 
They leave on history's page a trail of slime. 



36 



SONNETS 



THE WORKING MEN 

The working men's rank — the scheme of my song 

Is to point out their place and their station ; 
These Hnes I am sure would not be far wrong, 

Should I crown them the hope of this nation. 
Some persons of wealth deny them this rank, 

Through their hatred and scorn for the masses ; 
Will claim these lines are the work of a crank, 

They count working men slaves of the classes. 
I fling in their faces such insult with scorn, 

And still stand for the cause of the workers ; 
Of rights that are theirs I admit they are shorn, 

Still they shall not be slaves of the shirkers. 
There's One who has toiled — on whom to depend, 
The Carpenter's Son — the working men's friend. 



37 



SONNETS 



WHEN THE BIRDS RETURN 

The long, dark days of winter's dreary chill, 

The leafless forest dormant, brown and cold ; 
The frost-locked earth obeys the season's will, 

And bleating flocks are gathered in the fold. 
The native land of song-birds, reft of song. 

Left desolate and drear to watch and wait, 
Till from the South returns the warbling throng, 

Each in his native bower to choose his mate. 
The snow-bound days must after while depart, 

And chilling wind will yield to springtime glow; 

Warm sunbeams o'er the earth new life bestow, 
And fill with joy and hope each waiting heart. 

May each some lesson here of patience learn, 

And welcome springtime when the birds return. 



38 



SONNETS 



GROWING OLD 

This mirrored visage, to the mind has told 
The simple tale that marks the passing years; 
The furrow which on brow and cheek appears, 

But proves this body has been growing old. 

Still does my spirit youthful visions hold, 

Age brings its sorrows but no dread nor fears, 
I have more pleasures than I have of tears — 

The clouds dissolve and sunbeams then enfold. 

May time but bring with age increasing zeal 
To meet those duties which to years belong ; 

Will grudge not time his flight, if I but feel 

The flesh grow weary and the soul grow strong. 

One thing I crave, in life, to crown my joy, 

A body like a man — a spirit Hke a boy. 



39 



SONNETS 



THANKSGIVING DAY 

Thanksgiving this year like in other years, 

Hails many hearts o'erwhelmed with sadness ; 
Around us to-day flood their sighs and tears, 

Nor will Thanksgiving Day bring them gladness. 
Kindly words oftentimes which we might speak, 

Shine only just awhile through their sorrow; 
May love bring gladness to hearts that are weak, 

And our smiles give them hope for the morrow. 
Vain are our lives, if we should in this hour 

Invite not some friend to share in our bliss ; 
Not a word nor a smile — not even a flower — 

Give to cheer some heart on a day like this. 
May our sunbeams of love like showers descend, 
Refreshing this day the heart of some friend. 



40 



SONNETS 



THE MAN WHO SLAVES 

The slave obeys, yet loathes his master's will, 
Possessing strength, but yet submissive still, 

Yields homage to some mind which rules his own, 
Proves hope of freedom from his life has flown. 
All are not such perchance, of those who slave, 
And from their master's will some yet may crave 
The name of freemen ; pray their bondage cease, 
But while they plead, do arduous tasks increase. 
The slave is driven, ne'er inspired his task, 
Why he should slave, his manhood dares not ask ; 
Still strives no higher aims than slave to be, 
W^hile he who rules him scorns to set him free. 
In slavery bonds he gropes — seeks not a goal — 
Doomed still to own no mind, no body, and no soul. 



41 



SONNETS 



THE LIVING DEAD 

Full measured lives, filled to the overflow 

With love's own treasures, that will not decay 
When death shall claim this tenement of clay, 

And forms once loved are in the grave, laid low. 

But deeds well done in life will live and grow, 
In brighter realms unchained from mortal sway, 
When death has torn the hindering flesh away, 

And clothed love's triumphs with immortal glow. 

Who serves mankind their destinies will mould. 
Pure thoughts invite the hands to kindest deeds, 

With their sweet words the wayward may be drawn. 

And in their hearts this suffering world enfold. 
Death's icy hand bestows life's priceless meeds. 
Their bodies crumble, still their works live on. 



42 



SONNETS 



HEIGHT AND DEPTH. 
Two distant spheres in close communion brought, 

To yield their brightness to ambition's flame, 

And to mankind their richest stores proclaim. 
And pave life's highway with sublimest thought. 
The road to greatness noblest minds have sought, 

Have climbed the heights to reach immortal fame, 

There write on history's page a deathless name. 
The purest minds in tireless faith have wrought. 
With lofty aims, Hfe's hindering causes shun, 

Though chosen pathway may be rough and steep, 
They seek some place above where they begun. 

And from this life some priceless harvest reap. 
They learn that greatest victories must be won, 

With high ideals, and with convictions deep. 



43 



SONNETS 



LOVE OF SELF 

Ambitious hearts with selfish purpose seek, 
To break the will and cloud the work of those 
Who dare by word or act their schemes oppose, 

Will dark aspersions in their absence speak. 

For wealth and power they sore oppress the weak, 
And on mankind their heartless schemes impose : 
To reach their ends their minds to reason close, 

In secret haunts their hidden vengeance wreak. 

Their ears are deaf when waiting justice pleads. 
Hard, calloused hearts give no response within ; 

Their grasping mind their growing fortune feeds, 
And helpless conscience bows beneath their sin. 

Sometime all selfish souls will get their meeds, 
For truth will conquer, and the right will win. 



44 



SONNETS 



SLAVES TO FASHION 

The French "creator" rules the realm of style, 

With consummate skill lures aping crowds along ; 
With gaudy frills their pliant minds beguile, 

And binds in fashion's chains the hapless throng. 
With bated breath they wait the stern command 

Of fashion's priest; whose great creative mind 
Must mold the fashions of this glorious land — 

The vulgar Frenchman clothes the world's refined. 
The rich and poor, the humble and the great, 

Must wear the garb these foreign lords devise ; 
They dare not scorn the Frenchman's fashion plate 

But wear the garment, though the style despise. 
The world still yields to style's deforming sway, 
And nature's sweetest charms they fling away. 



45 



SONNETS 



THE SIGN-WRITER 

The gilded signs whose silent voices speak, 

Reveal those hands which genius has endowed, 
To check the footsteps of the hurrying crowd, 

And guide, unerring, to the marts they seek. 

Dark, devious paths oft mark the crowded way. 
And dangerous pitfalls there the steps betide ; 
The sign-writer's work becomes a trusted guide. 

Where by-paths branch to lead the feet astray. 

Sublime the work through power of genius born, 
Though menial sphere may mark its lowly place ; 

Its beauty will earth's highest realms adorn, 
And lowest depths its guiding gleams embrace. 

The genius writes the sign to charm the eyes, 

Still, that he works for gain no one denies. 



46 



SONNETS 



IMMORTALITY OF ART 

Art holds life's stage with its undying power, 
Unfolds those beauties that with radiance fair 
Cheers souls who turn the tread-mill of despair, 

And lends a fragrance like the new-blown flower. 

Time and decay earth's dream of wealth devour, 
Hope's dearest treasures oft are crushed by care, 
Entrapped by glamour of life's glittering glare. 

While art still lives to crown immortal bower. 

Genius though born in faintest hearts will glow. 
With brighter beauty through the ripened years. 

Across the countless days there still will flow. 
That mystic stream whose rhythmic music cheers. 

While pride and wealth must seek oblivion's bier, 

Art treads the highway t'ward immortal sphere. 



47 



SONNETS 



AUTUMN 

The gathered harvest now a garnered store, 
The glowing sunbeams melt in mellow haze, 
When Sylvan artist paints the woodland maze, 

And folds the vestments which the summer wore ; 

Till springtime beams the verdant green restore, 
That decks the earth again with flowery blaze. 
And stirs the human heart to rapturous praise, 

And heals the heartaches that have gone before. 

Each season yields some blessings to bestow, 
Their fruits are often lost in memory's shrine ; 

But earth responds to nature's gracious flow, 
Its gathered blessings will our lives refine. 

Through winter's frost and summer's melting glow, 
The clouds may gather, still the sun will shine. 



48 



SONNETS 



AT A BROTHER'S GRAVE 

Beneath this sacred mound by green o'erspread, 

A brother's loving form Hes still and cold ; 

There's left me naught but memory now, to hold 
Communion with those numbered with the dead. 
Though his pure spirit now from earth has fled, 

This heart of mine does yet his love enfold, 

And round my life like sunht days of old 
His smiles of love their cheerful halos shed. 
With all the pain that ruthless death may strew, 

With all its sorrows and its scalding tears. 
My love for him will still be faithful, true, 

Will still survive the lonesome flight of years ; 
And though his form be hidden from my view, 

Yet his loved voice my listening memory hears. 
Composed and written in Woodland Cemetery, 
Dayton, Ohio, May 17, 1914. 



49 



SONNETS 



THE TRAGEDY OF AGE 

Age brings that sorrow which to youth unknown, 
Bears heaviest when amidst life's ebbing flow, 
The feeble Hmbs and trembling voice must show 

That strength, once there, so silently has flown. 

In fleeting years the powers have feebler grown. 
When youthful days have dimmed to twilight glow, 
Come saddest hours that human hearts can know, 

When o'er life's past the aged must brood alone. 

The young rush past nor heed the trembling form. 
Bowed now with years, of useful powers unclad. 

Relive the past where youthful memories swarm. 
As loved ones wait with pitying hearts, and sad, 

Till life must yield to death's engulfing storm — 
The tragic thought — their dying make friends glad. 



50 



SONNETS 



A MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARY 

To hearts long joined by marriage ties, I write, 

That in their triumphs I may share their joys ; 

Their counsel oft has burned life's false alloys 
And their pure lives have brought me much delight. 
To live in realms of earth's sublimest height, 

Above life's lurements and its ceaseless noise. 

Where love ennobles, and true faith employs 
The brightest daybeams through the darkest night. 
Though clouds may shroud the rays of evening sun. 

And furious storm-winds blind in their descent, 
Still, right will conquer when this life is done. 

And bring to those who trust, a sweet content. 
The years now past so filled with victories won, 

Will bring the fruitage of two lives, well spent. 
Dayton, Ohio, 
March 17, 1915. 



51 



SONNETS 



YOUTH'S BEACON LIGHT 

The gleaming footlights of a world-wide stage, 
Invite youth's footsteps t'ward its radiant beams, 
AVhile hope inspires the heart with rapturous dreams, 

To deeds and thoughts which crown immortal page. 

Those brighter hopes which 3^outhful minds engage, 
Gush forth with splendor like the mountain streams. 
And o'er the pathway cast their sparkling gleams. 

Which strengthen youth and mold the charm of age. 

Life without light could not survive the strain. 
Nor could mankind e'er reach the noblest height, 

Unclothed of rhythm of faith's sublime refrain, 
To sing in lives love's anthems, pure and bright ; 

Then faith and hope and love will still remain, 
And o'er youth's pathway cast their guiding light. 



52 



SONNETS 



A VOICE 

Love's voice soft whispered in the fleeting years, 
Has lured mankind from realms of savage sway, 
Has shed the beams which deck hope's brighter day, 

In whose pure light life's flowery path appears. 

This voice absorbs earth's bitterest flow of tears, 
And in its smiles oft hides the world's dismay. 
And guides the footsteps t'ward a rose-clad way, 

That soothes earth's sorrows and its foolish fears. 

This voice of love will nobler thoughts inspire, 
To charm the vistas where our steps shall leave 

Their impress ; and will touch life's living lyre. 
And round this life its wreath of anthems weave. 

Love's voice burns dross with its consuming fire, 
And to life's nobler things, helps all to cleave. 



53 



SONNETS 



BEAUTY UNNOTICED 

Oft bright-hued roses hid 'midst foliage green, 
Their blushing buds unfold in tangled bower, 
Where weeds obstruct and shaggy thorn trees tower, 

Will lend a fragrance though they bloom unseen. 

True hearts ofttimes beneath life's shadowed sheen, 
Their virtues veiled by some unconquered power, 
Still lend a sweetness like the fragrant flower, 

Give fruitage which the needy world will glean. 

Oft noblest minds the darkest thoughts may hold, 
When dread misfortune lures to misery's shrine, 

Then like the flower which weeds and briars enfold, 
Must draw its fragrance from a source, divine. 

Such darkened hours a firmer faith will mold, 
Behind the clouds the sun of hope will shine. 



54 



SONNETS 



OUR TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD 

Love may seem weak in these fast, fleeting years, 
Though countless ages have its powers unbound. 
And in its realm all faithful hearts have found 

A balm that heals life's woes and dries its tears. 

Each year we breathe our love in cold, dead ears, 
Where lifeless forms lie buried in the ground, 
And scatter flowers upon each grass-grown mound, 

When in our thoughts each loving form appears. 

Faith still survives in hearts which pain has torn, 
Where death has entered love's sequestered fold. 

We still must wait the break of that sweet morn, 
Whose brightness will these darkened tombs enfold. 

We still each year, with tears and flowers adorn. 
These silent s^raves which dearest treasures hold. 



55 



SONNETS 



WAGES OF WAR 

War still exists, the child of greed and hate, 
Whose lust for gain all sacred rights defies, 
Whose furies blind the sight of patriot's eyes, 

With naught but groans and tears to compensate. 

Earth's noblest breasts are bared to cruel fate. 
While lust for power the plea of peace denies. 
Till in brave hearts the light of reason dies, 

That greed may rule though war should devastate. 

Yet barbarous war still yields its bitter tears, 
Its trophies drenched in blood, will long abide ; 

The wounds unhealed, survive the flight of years, 
While broken homes will mock the nation's pride. 

Though rulers win in strife both wealth and fame, 

The spoils of victory are their country's shame. 



56 



SONNETS 



TO MY WIFE 

(Thirty-four Years After.) 
If you had known how rough the path would be, 

When youthful visions shed their fervent glow, 

And eyes then veiled by love, saw but the flow 
Of that pure stream of life's sweet melody — 
If you had known when you from bonds were free, 

That life, then bright, some trials would bestow, 

That you would feel these bitter winds that blow. 
Would you still choose to walk this path with me? 
Our path has held some pleasures from the start. 

Though time has failed to make its beauties clear, 
But does love's voice some soothing balm impart, 

To smooth each conflict, and to dry each tear? 
Would you now place your hand in mine, dear heart, 

And start with me life's pathway without fear ? 



57 



SONNETS 



CHRISTMAS SONNET 

The star that marked the birthplace of our King 
Shone bright above that Bethlehem manger bed, 
And by its gleams wise shepherds' feet were led 

To pay him homage, and their treasures bring. 

Now, to this star the world's great nations cling, 
Revere the power that raised him from the dead, 
With wreathes of love still crown that sacred head, 

And waft to heaven the song which angels sing. 

This song of 'Teace on earth, good will t'ward men," 
Has charmed the vistas of earth's noblest thought; 

Still guides the hand that wields immortal pen, 

And crowns Him king, who man's redemption bought- 

Whose tireless feet o'er hill and valley's glen. 

From heaven to earth a priceless message brought. 



58 



SONNETS 



BELGIUM'S TRIUMPH 

Those cruel hordes with boastful pomp and pride, 
To please a tyrant's greed and lust for power, 
Would drench in blood a land that will not cower, 

And bathe fair Belgium in war's crimson tide. 

The rights of peaceful powers have been denied, 
Nor woman's prayers nor childhood's tears this hour 
Could stay the hand that would their homes devour, 

And o'er their bleeding forms in triumph ride. 

Faith's prayers ascend, hope's voice to God appeals. 
That love might win against a tyrant's might. 

And heal the wounds this dreadful strife reveals. 
And honor Belgium's stand for peace and right. 

Time will record in blood an empire's shame. 

While Belgium's triumph is an honored name. 



50 



SONNETS 



THE POET'S PASTIME 

The muses lend their voice to rhythmic lays, 
That charm the heart with music's mystic lure, 
Though writing verses makes the writers poor, 

And round their heels the carping critic brays. 

Still, lost in rapture of song's glowing maze. 
Drawn from the crystal depths of fountain pure, 
That through time's ravages will still endure, 

Will draw from unborn hosts a meed of praise. 

Song's message stirs emotion's deepest springs, 
When love inspires the poet's rhythmic art. 

And leads the mind to think of nobler things, 
When music's chords their purest gems impart. 

The measured rhythm a priceless message brings, 
That taps the love-springs of the human heart. 



60 



SONNETS 



BALD HEADS; OUTSIDE AND IN 

Judge not a man by his smooth, shining pate, 

When from his dome time has the covering shorn, 
And left that space like desert plains, forlorn, 

While oft beneath are brains which compensate. 

Think not that hair great sense must indicate, 
That sheltering locks do all wise heads adorn, 
For in his skull man's power to think was born, 

And wisdom's charms oft hairless crowns ornate. 

Skulls void of hair without, and lacking brains. 
When sportive nature works some foolish prank, 
For which misfortune naught could recompense ; 

Still without hair, or with, this truth remains. 

That human heads that reach life's highest rank, 
Are those adorned with brains and common sense. 



61 



SONNETS 



WHAT DID YOU SEE? 

What did you see, when in the morning hours, 
Your hopeful footsteps sought the beaten way, 
Toward the place where each day's duties lay, 

Where you pour out the essence of your powers? 

May be 't was shadeless streets, or leafy bowers 
Of country highway, where fresh zephyrs play, 
And nature's beauties lend their brightest ray, 

Where stately forest tree in grandeur towers. 

The streets are lined with beauty art has wrought. 
In country highways nature paints bright views; 

Could you tread either then, without a thought 
Of artist's triumphs, or of nature's hues ? 

To those who see, has art and nature brought, 
Some solace pure as night's refreshing dews. 



62 



SONNETS 



A NATION'S DECLARATION 

Men should be equal on their morn of birth, 

This thought, sublime, inspired a nation's pride, 
And ruled that royal blood should not abide, 

Where freedom's blessings are of priceless worth. 

This thought burns brightly on each native hearth, 
For freedom lives where love has scattered wide 
Those beauties which no royal blood could hide, 

When love has conquered war's destructive dearth. 

Men are born equal through their sovereign right 
To life and freedom, and pursuit which gives 

That radiance which to them dispels the night. 
And still will shine as long as freedom lives. 

The right to life and freedom sheds pure light, 

Pursuit of happiness brings sweet delight. 



63 



SONNETS 



THE LURE OF THE LIGHT 

The luring glow still decks the smiling morn, 
As from the darkness steals the radiant light, 
And from night's vision fades a dreamland sprite, 

That out of silent shadows of the night was born. 

Bright streams of light the morning hours adorn, 
To drive from mind and heart the gloom of night, 
And crown earth's pleasures with supreme delight. 

When from the land night's gloomy shade is shorn. 

Still, could man feel the thrill of opening day 
Did not night's shade the morning light define? 

So will those sorrows which obstruct life's way, 
But lend a contrast to life's earth-born shrine; 

Though mind and heart should grope in dark dismay, 
The breaking light will seem the more divine. 



64 



SONNETS 



CRUELTY OF CREEDS 

Creeds melted in the fires of modern thought, 
Which truth has kindled into quenchless flame, 
Has in its light revealed the crime and shame, 

Of doctrines superstition's votaries taught. 

Untold the anguish wicked creeds have brought, 
To those who dared a different faith proclaim, 
Where at the stake they earned a martyr's name, 

And crowned a faith with honors, dearly bought. 

Time scarce can heal the wounds of cruel creeds, 
Their crimson stains outlive the flight of years ; 

Though martyred saints shall reap immortal meads, 
And Christian truth and love dispel earth's fears, 

No power of man can hide those barbarous deeds. 
Nor wipe from history's page the martyr's tears. 



65 



SONNETS 



CUPID AND THE MAIDEN 

One time a sweet maiden held Cupid in scorn, 

Said lover's allurements no ecstasies lent; 

But trusted that men would divine her intent, 
And think that her beauty a home could adorn. 
Her eyes being dazzled by maidenhood's morn, 

On frills and adornments all efforts she spent ; 

Knew not that a lifetime of happiness meant 
That love will survive when all beauty is shorn. 
But still wise old Cupid no mortal could sway, 

Men courted the maiden, and love they expressed ; 
Enshrining her heart in love's conquering ray. 

Convinced her that beauty in love must be dressed. 
Thus Cupid has taught this sweet maiden to say, 
That man, of all creatures, is surely the best. 



66 



SONNETS 



NEW YEAR SONNET 

The old year now has passed beyond recall, 
The prize we sought amid its speeding days, 
When wrapped in turmoil of its whirHng maze, 

May still be garnered though the shadows fall. 

Yet, if our hearts a year's defeats enthrall. 
The path seems closed with its departing rays, 
Hope kindles still a living, quenchless blaze, 

And to high aims this New Year's voices call. 

Though fruitless seasons — and perhaps a tear — 
Are harvests gathered from the year now past. 

Some brighter prospects may be hovering near, 
To heal the wounds and cool the burning blast, 

And ground this hope, amidst our galling fear, 
That faithful hearts will reap reward at last. 



67 



SONNETS 



THE RIFT IN THE CURTAIN 

Voices that speak to our hearts will declare, 

There are few things of which we are certain ; 
We scorn to believe there's dust in the air, 

Till the beam shines through rift in the curtain. 
Then dust will be seen floating everywhere 

Through the room, though we try to conceal it; 
Still we're forced to confess the dust is there, 

When the beam through the rift shall reveal it. 
When the curtain of doubt our sins now hides, 

With the sword of God's truth has been rifted, 
When Christ's own fullness within us abides, 

From our lives then all sins will be sifted. 
May beams of goodness in our hearts shine bright, 
And our lives be clothed with vestments of light. 



68 



ACROSTICS 



BEAMS FROM THE HEART 

Just as the rays that deck the breaking morn, 
Unfold their beauties to earth's waking eyes, 
Love's beams, that are of every shadow shorn, 
Inspire, and all of life's rough paths adorn, 
As their clear rays reflect the sunlit skies. 

Crowned with a vision of love's mystic power, 
As time unveils earth's brighter, nobler way, 
Reveals in hearts a fragrance like the flower, 
Now crowns with pleasure hope's unfolding day. 
Each glowing heart-beam cheers a waiting heart, 
Like opening morn which bids the night depart, 
Love drives dark clouds and mists of life away. 



69 



ACROSTICS 



HOPE WILL SURVIVE 

Hope will survive time's flight of years, 
Although the gathering clouds o'erspread ; 
Rays of love's brightness dries the tears, 
Restores a faith that quells life's fears, 
Yields fragrance, though the rose is dead. 

Chime of hope's music thrills the heart. 
And bridges chasm of earth's dread woes ; 
Rich though are treasures wrought by art, 
None yield true beauty like hope's rose. 
Enshrined in hope, life's treasures live. 
Long though we strive, yet hope will give 
Love's rays, from which a gladness flows. 



70 



ACROSTICS 



THE TEACHER'S MISSION 

Each impulse of a faithful teacher's heart, 
Deep anchored in life's ever-flowing tide, 
Weaves into form the warp and woof of art, 
Invites the students to perform their part, 
Nor craves a higher mission than to guide. 

Born to instruct, the teacher's words unfold 
Rich treasures that inspire the pliant mind ; 
Ornated with love's message which will hold, 
When time unveils, and youthful eyes behold 
New fires which mold the future of mankind. 



71 



ACROSTICS 



THE BRIGHTER BEAMS 

Morn brings to earth beams of delight, 
Invites the mind to noblest thoughts ; 
New hope, born of day's dawning light, 
Now sheds its gleams in darkest grots ; 
Its day-beams scatter shades of night, 
Enshrine life's sweet "Forget-me-nots." 

Beyond the realm of morn's bright glow, 
Refulgent though day's beams may shine ; 
O'er life still brighter blessings flow, 
When we, through love's pure acts bestow 
New beams, that glow with light, divine. 



n 



ACROSTICS 



TO A BOOK-LOVER. 

Wealth fades away as do the flowers that grow 
In fragrant beauty by the babbhng brooks ; 
Leads for a time in paths where pleasures glow, 
Leaves man the victim of life's fickle rooks. 
Incult the mind which scorns to do some part, 
And pays scant tribute to the writer's art, 
Moved not by eloquence, nor the love of books. 

Born in the heart of man are thoughts that flame 
Unquenched, to live and shine on history's page ; 
Death of the author gives still greater fame, 
Reveals his works as earth's bright heritage. 
Ornated by pure thoughts are minds that glow, 
Enriched by pleasures which good books bestow. 



7d 



ACROSTICS 



TO A MUSIC-LOVER 

Music still charms with its rhythmical lure, 
Abides though life's woes and sorrows enfold ; 
Reveals in its measures a message that's pure, 
Yields wealth that's more precious than gold. 

Beauty glows bright for awhile, but its gleam 
Unfolds but some fancies that will not endure; 
Delight lives in songs, whose conquering beam 
Reaches heights where sweet melodies allure. 
On through the ages will its concord of rhyme 
Enrich all Hfe's path with a glory, sublim.e. 



74 



ACROSTICS 



REWARD COMES SLOW 

Reward comes slow to hearts that merit praise, 
Although their aims, revealed in noblest deeds 
Leave still an impress on life's trackless maze, 
Plant flowers to bloom amidst the sunless days, 
Heal wounds, although denied the hero's meeds. 

Shade dims the sunlight, but the sun shines on, 
Hope strives amidst this life's encumbered way ; 
Each act of kindness guides toward hope's dawn, 
Reveals the wealth of love's all-conquering ray ; 
Moved by faith's impulse, which true valor gives, 
Armed with a grace that still survives and lives. 
Night's darkness then seems but a cloudless day. 

Hope could not give to earth its brightest glow. 
Invite true hearts to hope's ennobling gleam, 
Make flowers to bloom where darkest rivers flow, 
Enshrine that sweetness which kind acts bestow, 
Save by the radiance of love's deathless beam. 



75 



ACROSTICS 



LIFE'S BRIGHTER VIEW 

A pathway strewn with fragrant flowers, 
No stagnant mists could cloud the air; 
New, sunlit hopes inspire life's hours, 
Each morn and noon and night seem fair. 

Entranced by hope's sweet, minstrel song. 
Life's days seem one long round of joys ; 
Inspires in hearts of cheer-lit throng, 
Zeal for the things which right employs. 
Across time's page love writes the names 
Bound by those cheering ties, which hold ; 
Embalmed in right's all-conquering flames. 
Truth lives ; its lasting worth proclaims, 
Hope then crowns life with wealth, untold. 

Heaven's gladness charms the passing days. 
Invites t'ward home's delightful bowers ; 
Makes life o'erflow with notes of praise, 
Enshrined within faith's conquering rays. 
Sweet anthems clothe Avith peace, the hours. 



70 



ACROSTICS 



ANOTHER BIRTHDAY 

Just your birthday, which you know 
Always comes just once each year; 
Makes you think about life's flow, 
Each in passing leaves some glow, 
Smiling through the clouds of fear. 

Welcome then each birthday, bright, 
Hope still crowns these natal days ; 
Ills will vanish when love's light 
Tunes your heart with rhythmic lays. 
Ceaseless chime your pathway strews, 
Onward will song's voice still ring; 
Morning brings youth's sparkling dews, 
But life's evening brings no sting. 

Rich the joys which crown your age. 
If your life sweet fragrance gives ; 
Loving deeds earth's pains assuage 
Entered on time's deathless page — 
You die, but your work still lives. 

Dayton, Ohio, October, ipij. 



77 



ACROSTICS 



WHEN NATURE SMILES 

When nature's rhythm of song, 
Inspires the heart with cheer, 
Lures us from thoughts of wrong, 
Love's voice comes sweetly near. 
In nature's smile there glows, 
And from her fount there flows, 
Muse that will calm life's fear. 

Life holds some mission bright. 
And through the gathering years 
Welds with love's melting light, 
Rich blessings with Hfe's tears. 
Each morn, 'midst nature's smiles, 
New faith thrills and inspires, 
Crowns life's best afterwhiles, 
Enthrones love's melting fires. 

Buds of the springtime, greet, 
Like gleams that glow at morn ; 
O'erflow with fragrance, sweet. 
Cure hearts that pain has torn. 
Hid still 'midst nature's smile 
Enclothed with naught of guile. 
Rich gleams of peace are born. 



78 



ACROSTICS 



TO A POET FRIEND 

Time writes song's message on immortal page, 
Hope lives and rules supreme in rhythmic art; 
Orpheus still tunes his lyre to charm the age, 
Makes music's voice to cheer the cheerless heart. 
Anthems of joy still soothe the anguished cry, 
Song lives to bless, supreme in earth and sky. 

Empire of verse still wields its mystic power, 
Molds mind of man to seek the paths of right ; 
Makes life to blossom Hke some fragrant flower. 
Enchants with sweetness life's sublimest bower, 
Turns mind and heart toward hope's radiant light. 

Measureless rhythm will nature's fields adorn, 
On wings immortal scale time's noblest height ; 
O'erwhelm with love the sting of critic's scorn, 
Roll on like beams which deck the glowing morn, 
Enshrined in realms of earth's supreme delight. 



79 



ACROSTICS 



TO CHARLES EDWARD CLARK 

Cherish life's bountiful gifts, 
Hold to its sunbeams of light; 
After awhile, through the rifts, 
Rays will bring joy and delight ; 
Lending new pleasures to life, 
Ending the conflict and strife. 
Smiling in dreams of the night. 

Earnest of faith which inspires, 
Drives away thoughts that depress ; 
Welds in the glow of hope's fires. 
Anchors that hold in life's stress. 
Right, then w411 empires of wrong 
Drown in love's sunlight of song. 

Crowned are the pilots that guide 
Life t'ward faith's harbor, secure; 
Anthems of praise which abide, 
Raptures of life's flowing tide. 
Kindle true hopes which endure. 



80 



ACROSTICS 



WORDS KINDLY SPOKEN 

Just as the dews so gently fall at night, 
O'er fertile valley and the verdant slope, 
So will kind words give pleasure and delight, 
Enshrining in each heart some brighter hope. 
Plain words, if kind, will conqvier anger's fire. 
Hush all life's fears, and confidence inspire. 

Men live for naught, who never feel the power 
Of that sweet spirit which kind words inspire; 
Rear not in gardens of their heart some flower. 
That gives a perfume to fife's loftiest height. 
On wings of faith kind words are born above, 
Now charm the mind, and melt the heart in love. 

Home is the place where kind words shed a ray 
Of radiant brightness, that will live and grow. 
When death has torn the dearest friends away, 
Enshrining darkness in hope's brightest glow. 
Love lingers in kind words and through the years, 
Lends comfort in the hours of pain and tears. 



81 



ACROSTICS 



TO AN ARTIST 

Crowned by a gift that brightly glows, 
As time unfolds its deathless page ; 
Reveals in art, a stream that flows, 
Lives on, undimmed with time or age. 

Clouds dark may gather o'er the way, 
Life's path from view seems to depart ; 
Above them still with deathless sway, 
Untouched by shade of earth's dismay, 
Delight still crowns the realm of art. 

Wealth with its glamour charms awhile, 
O'er Hfe, its power we ofttimes feel; 
On things that perish, though it smile. 
Draws not its impulse from life's weal. 
When all its charms have passed away, 
Across the chasm of countless years ; 
Rich then your gift, as art's bright day, 
Dawns where immortal morn appears. 



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ACROSTICS 



KIND DEEDS AND SMILES 

Each smile we give, each kindly deed, 
Makes hf e for some one brighter ; 
Moves clouds away, fills up their need, 
And makes their burdens lighter. 

Each act of kindness that we've shown, 
Lives on, and still keeps flowing ; 
Love's but a seed, that when it's sown. 
Enchants us as some rose, full-blown. 
Now blooms, but keeps on growing. 

Cries of distress our smiles may still, 
Heart-aches, and sighs most rending; 
Enshrined by love some soul may thrill, 
And bless the heart that's sending. 
Drop them a tear when sorrow pleads. 
Let kindly acts supply their needs. 
Each smile some fragrance lending. 



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ACROSTICS 



EVENING REFLECTIONS 

How gently fades the light when evening hours 
Enfold the sunbeams in their mellowing haze; 
Low whispering zephyrs kiss the blushing flowers, 
Encamped the song-birds in their leafy bowers — 
Nature now rests 'neath the sky's starry maze. 

How softly o'er our hearts, come at eventide, 
Enwrapt in stillness of the gathering night. 
Cheering thoughts of the past no gloom can hide. 
Keeping still in memory time's onward flight. 
Moments soft linger, when day's duties cease, 
Anchoring our hearts in their concord of peace — 
Nymph of the twihght, still with us abide. 



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ACROSTICS 



TO A NIECE 

These simple lines I dare not hope, 
Reveal my heart's best love for you ; 
Each act of yours so broad in scope, 
Veils shadows with a light so true, 
As I descend life's evening slope. 

Paths where these feet of mine now tread, 
Are strewn along with many thorns ; 
The perfume gone — the leaves seem dead, 
The rose no more life's path adorns. 
Each day that passes brings its sighs, 
Relieved by friendships such as yours ; 
Sweet memories, bound by love's own tie?. 
O'er life some stream of gladness pours — 
New hopes then clear the misty skies. 



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ACROSTICS 



AUTUMN REFLECTIONS 

Midst beauties of an autumn's mellow day, 
All nature hushed as if in calm repose ; 
Resplendent trees their leafy burdens lay, 
Confusedly scattered where the zephyrs play, 
Embalmed in fragrance of the dying rose. 
Listless and calm are both valley and hill, 
Lending a charm to these mystical views ; 
Unchaining its forces so silent and still, 
Sublimely the autumn all nature subdues. 

Bold Sylvan through forest his art portrays, 
Unfolds new beauty in its leaf-clad bowers ; 
Nature adorned with these gaiTnents of haze. 
Yields sweetest content to the dreamy hours. 
All around us the whispering zephyrs say, 
Nobly the Creator has fashioned this day. 

Flowing on the brooklet with babbling song, 
Unblushingly kisses the grass-fringed banks ; 
Leaving all that pollutes, it glides along, 
Lifting up toward heaven its rippling thanks. 
E'en also will God, who cleanses the brook. 
Rid us of all sins ; to Him we should look. 



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ACROSTICS 



USING THE MOMENTS 

Moments well spent as the days speed along, 
Always bring to us rich fruitage in time ; 
Returning to bless us with joy and song, 
Yielding a peace to our hearts, so sublime. 

Giving a smile to some friend in distress, 
Enthralled by bitterest turmoil and strife. 
Reaching out our hand oft with tenderness, 
Turning the tide in a sin-oppressed life. 
Rendering talents in some service of love, 
Using our moments with the humblest care, 
Driving out darkness with light from above. 
Eases the burdens which others must bear. 

Frittering our moments away, only leaves 
Useless and needless distress on the way; 
Lending a hand, we may garner as sheaves. 
Lost ones now wandering in utter dismay. 
Each moment then use as time speeds along. 
Relieving distress by smiles, or a song. 



%7 



ACROSTICS 



ART IN NATURE 

Art charms with its message of cheer, 
Reaching up to Uf e's noblest height ; 
Mounting high above all pain and fear, 
In the realm of earth's purest delight. 
Nature paints in bright, glowing tints, 
In the fields and forests and flowers ; 
Unfolding a picture in smiling glints, 
Supreme in earth's beautiful bowers. 

Touches of cheer pervade each bloom, 
Richest dreams crown their Sylvan art, 
O'erfiow with charms which will illume, 
Unbind their springs of sweet perfume, 
Pouring gladness into each true heart. 



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ACROSTICS 



NATIONAL CASH REGISTER 

New sunbeams cheer the morning hours, 
Awaken hopes through field and mart ; 
Tune into action, thrill the powers. 
Inspire to highest aims, the heart. 
On flows that grand industrial stream, 
Near where the ''Great Miami" flows ; 
Along whose banks hope's radiant gleam 
Lends beauty to a life, which glows. 

Charmed with the wand of native heath, 
Awakening power in one strong mind ; 
Sage ! Crowned with an immortal wreath. 
Heaven has endowed few of mankind. 

Reared on this valley's fertile soil, 
Enthrilled by river's murmuring song ; 
God proves in him life's worth of toil, 
Invites to highest aims, the throng. 
Still governed by those tireless hands, 
The "Cash" endures and lives and grows ; 
Entwined with nature's beauty stands. 
Reared where the ''Great Miami" flows. 



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ACROSTICS 



TO A FRIEND 

May not insatiate love of worldly gain 

Anchor a mind so bright — a heart enchain, 

Revering only gold. 

Contentment — ^may her blessings round you shine. 

Enchant with pleasures that are more divine, 

Lending a wealth untold. 

Love to your God, your country, and your home, 

Unsealing the gateways up to heaven's dome, 

Sure riches there behold. 

Sublimer far than all that wealth can bring, 
Are kindly acts, which to our souls will cling, 
Beyond this veil of tears. 
Inveigling love of wealth invents no plan, 
Nor can it e'er this ceaseless cycle span, 
Eternity of years. 

Be that free spirit which your life reveals, 
Enthroned so firmly that no power can move ; 
Nor listen long to wealth's fair, false appeals. 
Naught that she gives will lasting value prove. 



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ACROSTICS 



THE DAYS GLIDE BY 

Fast glide the days and years of life away, 
Each swift recurrence of the setting sun 
Reveals both joys and sorrows of the day, 
Descends the darkness, and its work is done. 
If in the sunlight of life's closing years, 
No clouds appear to dim the smiling skies, 
Around the heart there are no gathering fears, 
Nor vain regrets to melt the eyes to tears — 
Dawn of a brighter day will then arise. 

Long may the Hght of hope's descending ray. 
Add joy and gladness to your heart, my friend, 
Fill all the hours of life's departing day. 
Open wide the gates of promise in the end. 
No power can pluck you from a Savior's hand, 
God's grace will guide you to a better land. 



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ACROSTICS 



THE POTENCY OF A GLANCE 

Jennie, the soul is mirrored in a glance, 
Each look if full of kindness, will entrance, 
No heart could spurn the beam of kindly face, 
Nor scorn the beauty of a woman's grace. 
If truth and love her beaming eyes impart, 
Enshrined is virtue then within her heart. 

More lovely still than beauty's fickle stare, 
Are simple glances, which from kindly face, 
Reveal in heart and mind the beauty there, 
Give to both form and features winning grace. 
A glance of kindly eyes though dimmed by tears, 
Richer in nature's realm than painter's art ; 
Each flowing drop from friendly eye appears 
To be but sparkling dewdrops of the heart. 

Highest of all the gifts which earth bestows. 
Are those which nature paints in face and eyes ; 
Lighting the pathway with a beam that glows, 
Like stars that twinkle in the distant skies. 



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ACROSTICS 



BE NOT DISMAYED 

Life has some mission still, be not dismayed, 
Although misfortunes 'round you now arise ; 
Unconquered faith their fury oft has stayed, 
Reward deserved, shall not be long delayed, 
A crown awaits you for these tears and sighs. 

Justice still reigns amid the clashing powers, 
Across your sky the stormy clouds are spread ; 
Now sorrow rules, still in God's coming hours. 
Eternal wreath of peace will crown your head. 

We may not see to-day, the powers that Hft, 
Our eyes be dimmed by some encircling gloam ; 
Or, in the clouds not see through broken rift. 
Descending light to guide us t'ward our home 
We know God's anchor still will hold us fast, 
Against the waves that swell life's turbid sea ; 
Right will prevail, the faithful will at last 
Drop anchor 'midst heaven's blest eternity. 



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ACROSTICS 



TO THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER 

Sublime old flag, a shield in darkest hour, 
All glorious emblem of our nation's power, 
May still thy colors wave. 
United 'neath thy folds, our hearts enthrill. 
Each man a sovereign proves our country still. 
Land of the true and brave. 

False men may rise who would dishonor thee. 
Live thou still on, dear flag of liberty, 
Enchain in bonds all who would dare deface. 
Tear our old flag of freedom from its place. 
Crowned only by love's hand. 
Heaven smiles where'er thy colors boldly wave, 
Each patriot gives his all, this flag to save. 
Raised over our fair land. 

Gem of a country's pride, still wave o'er all, 
Enshrined in loyal hearts, thou shalt not fall 
Or perish from the earth. 
Rise higher still, that all the earth may see, 
God grant these stars and stripes may ever be, 
Emblems of freedom's birth. 



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ACROSTICS 



OUR CHILDHOOD HOME 

Whispering zephyrs touch our hearts to-day. 
As the years in their flight hurry us on ; 
Recalhng childhood, though now far away, 
Rich in memory of pleasures that have gone. 
Enchanting us still as through life we roam, 
Nestling close, are these memories of home. 

Like some mystic vision these scenes pass by, 
Enwrapt in sunshine of our childhood hours ; 
Answering the wail of the world's bitter cry, 
Now filling our path like a wreath of flowers. 
Dear memories of youth still cheer to the last. 
Entwining our hearts with life's innocent past, 
Round us hovering till the hour we must die. 

Bright memories linger of our childhood days, 
Unconquered by toils of these passing years ; 
Now cheering our hearts in life's rugged ways, 
Giving faith that conquers amid these tears ; 
Enchaining sorrow, in life's evening gloam. 
Riveting close in memory our childhood home. 



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ACROSTICS 



A FRIENDLY ACROSTIC 

May no sorrow come, or strife, 
In your labyrinth of life; 
Nor no shadows cross your way. 
Naught but God's sublimest day. 
Into your life may fortune send 
E'en these few wishes of a friend. 

May your life its fragrance lend, 
As you mingle, friend with friend, 
Yielding sunshine to the end. 

Soon all your days will fleet away, 
How careful ought you watch and pray, 
Assured that if you faithful stand, 
No power can pluck you from His hand. 
Consider that while life endures, 
Kindliness never kills, but cures. 



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ACROSTICS 



TO ETHEL WOOD KING 

Each little sunbeam of the morning dries 
Tears of the night from the meadow's brow ; 
How also the smile from some kindly eyes, 
Even like a beam from the cloudless skies, 
Leaves joy and gladness where sorrow is now. 

Willingly give them a smile where the tears 
Of sorrow have saddened the heart of a friend 
Offer it now, and then all through the years, 
Doubt not your reward is sure in the end. 

Kindness without smiles, like many a rose, 
Invites but a look, no fragrance imparts ; 
Nestling in smiles is a sweetness that flows. 
Giving a gladness that reaches our hearts. 



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ACROSTICS 



HELPING SOME FRIEND 

Little words of hope, just softly spoken, 
Into the ear of some friend that's oppressed ; 
Drawing close to us a heart that's broken. 
Anchoring a soul that's torn and distressed. 

Encamping round them with words of gladness, 
Putting self aside for their own dear sake ; 
Pruning out of hearts the growing sadness, 
Leaving hope instead, for sorrows we take. 
Ever giving smiles in this world of strife, 
Yielding peace to a heart — blessing a life. 

Life has such mission, then should we delay 
As we tread the pathway, some one to bless ? 
Now is the time ; heaven's blest harvest day ; 
Some sacrifice make for hearts in distress. 
Drop a kindly word, give friends just a smile. 
Answering heartaches in life's passing hours ; 
Loved friends may conquer life, after awhile, 
Encouraged by kind words, which were our? 



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ACROSTICS 



TO A MUSICIAN 

A voice from out the realms of light, 
Like Orpheus carroling tuneful rhyme, 
Its thrilling tones so clear and bright, 
Come in the stillness — pure, sublime; 
Enchant with chords of heavenly chime. 

Beneath the woodland's leaf-clad bowers, 
Enchained the heart — subdued the will ; 
Comes sweet perfume of wild-wood flowers, 
Kissed by the charm of song-bird's thrill ; 
Enrapturing strains from music's sphere, 
Ring heavenly anthems, sweet and clear. 

Mystical voice, whose call once heard 
Invites t'ward music's sweetest chime ; 
Love's melody these hearts have stirred. 
Lingering in rapturous strains, sublime. 
Enriched by songs, may each true heart 
Reach richest realms of rhvthmus art. 



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ACROSTICS 



THOUGHTFUL HOURS 

Gentle and pure fall the evening dews, 
Reviving" the beauty of sun-kissed flowers ; 
Adding fresh tints to their delicate hues, 
Caressing the zephyrs from realms of muse, 
Enthrilling the heart in these quiet hours. 

Thoughts of the past, coming at eventide, 
Richer than dreams of the night can impart ; 
Orpheus sings 'neath the shadows that hide, 
Using sweet tones of the myths which abide. 
Pouring out incense that softens the heart. 

A voice oft whispers froiii realms of the fair, 
Like tenderest chord of the rhythm of rhyme ; 
Lifting the soul from some frowning despair, 
Enshrouding with sweetness the evening air, 
Nature embalmed with a stillness, sublime. 



100 



ACROSTICS 



TO A NEPHEW 

Sometimes the shadows which we often dread, 
Are but great blessings that are in disguise ; 
Make Hfe seem dreary, but at last instead, 
Unfold new beauties in the clearing skies. 
Each shadow which may dim the sunny glow, 
Leaves something that before we did not know. 

Rough and obscure the path may seem to be, 
Oft wind and storms our way may intervene; 
But through the rifts bright messages we see, 
Enshrining darkness in hope's living sheen. 
Revere the good, tread pathways of the great. 
Trust in yourself, and only work and wait. 

Wrong cannot win, nor in this vale of tears 
O'ercome the One who rules the realm of right 
Oncoming hopes drive from our lives the fears. 
Drown sorrows in their gleam of living light. 
Work on and wait; in youthful days prepare, 
Arm now your mind with all that genius gives ; 
Reach for the highest, do the right and dare 
Draw from a fountain that survives and lives. 



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ACROSTICS 



HOME HOLDS US FAST 

Home sheds a glad halo of sweet delight, 
O'er life, when the conflicts may press ; 
When gathering clouds obscure the light, 
A home then holds charms that will bless ; 
Reveals its pure ray in the darkest night, 
Draws love's mantle of hope o'er distress. 

Perchance some pains that stay for awhile, 
O'erwhelm with their dark, veiling gloam ; 
Love soothes the pang with a tender smile. 
Invites true hearts to trust then in home. 
No sorrow or pain can its sweetness devour, 
God's hand holds us safe, in home's bower. 



102 



ACROSTICS 



TO WILLIAM GLASS 

When the sun shines clear and bright, 
In life's pathway, then the hours, 
Like sweet memories which delight, 
Leave their perfume like the flowers. 
In the whispers of hope's gladness. 
All life's pains and all its sadness. 
Mold in beauty love's true bowers. 

Griefs and woes we ofttimes borrow, 
Love will heal each wound and tear, 
Afterwhile — through hope's to-morrow- 
Smiles will dry our tears and sorrow, 
Silver Hned, then clouds appear. 



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ACROSTICS 



IN LIFE'S AFTERWHILE 

After life's dreams are absorbed by the years, 
Like the dews which the sunbeams have kissed ; 
Veiled though their beams, ofttimes with tears, 
In the end, they still shine through the mist ; 
Now time has dulled our sweet visions of youth, 
And yet they remain like some message of truth. 

Conquests have come, but could not long endure, 
Like the waves which earth's shore-line enfolds ; 
At last will love's voice with a message so pure, 
Give our lives that safe anchorage, which holds. 
Enshrined in a concord of peace will these years, 
Turn sorrow to gladness, will dry all our tears, 
Tune our hearts with youth's music, which molds. 



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ACROSTICS 



SHADOWS ACROSS THE WAY 

Just some little shadows ofttimes will fall 
Across the course of life's divinest way ; 
May with their darkness for a time enthrall, 
Enshroud our lives, and in their gloomy pall 
Smother the light of hope's sublimest ray. 

Beguiling fancies then o'erwhelm the heart, 
Elfs of the shadow through our pathway steal 
Round many homes, their gloomy haze impart, 
Make woe the master, and subdue the weal. 
Inconstant world, where pitfalls open wide, 
No man escapes who scorns to do the right ; 
God has decreed where mortals shall abide, 
Home is the haven that will hold us tight. 
Around the fireside of our homes, dear Jim, 
Mav we find sunshine which no shadows dim. 



105 



ACROSTICS 



EACH DAY 

Dawn of each day though foul or fair, 
Reveals some message bright and new ; 
Unburdens life of some false care, 
Rules out some darkness and despair, 
Yields to our hopes a brighter view. 

Judged by years past, will coming days, 
Entwine life's pleasures with distress ; 
Faith still abides; its deathless rays, 
Fill life with hope when sorrows press. 
Each day but brings some new-born light, 
Rough though the pathway ofttimes seems 
Sometimes we faint when gathering night, 
Overwhelms and hides the path from sight. 
Nor feel the glow of hope's pure gleams. 

Sometimes we scorn the light that lifts, 
Make gladness turn to strife and hate; 
Invite not sunbeams through the rifts, 
Throw thus away life's sweetest gifts, 
Heed not the blessings till too late. 



106 



